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Second semester exam study guide - Coggle Diagram
Second semester exam study guide
Power
What is Power?
Power over someone: Domination
Power to do something: Capability, ability
Rooted in weakness?
Desire for power can stem from inner lack of strength
Power as a Social Relation
Power = A influences B to change B’s behavior
B accepts because A has:
Strength
Resources (money, fame)
Charisma
Expertise
Access to information
Categories of Power
Individual - Group
Over People - Over Nature
Managerial Power
Visible - Invisible
Visible Power
Asymmetry of Relations
Dependent behaviors (e.g. pedestrians & traffic police)
Power shown through:
Uniforms (doctors, police)
Salutations (military salute)
Objects (crown, gavel)
Placement (throne, desk)
Domination and Submission
Master/slave
Physical or psychological
State
What is the State?
Definition: The state is an organized political community under one government with defined borders and authority.
It is the supreme political institution in society.
The state ensures the well-being, security, and order of its citizens.
It differs from society (which includes informal relations and associations).
Characteristics of a State
Population – A group of people living in the territory.
Territory – Defined geographical boundaries.
Government – An organized authority that makes and enforces laws.
Sovereignty – The ultimate power to govern itself without outside interference.
The Purpose of the State
To protect individual rights and freedoms
To ensure public order and safety
To promote the common good
To resolve conflicts and distribute justice
To provide public services (education, healthcare, infrastructure)
Law
Introduction to Social Conflicts & Law
Human freedom leads to diverse interests, desires, and goals.
These sometimes clash, leading to conflict.
Example: Street traffic analogy – chaos if there are no rules.
Solution: A regulator — law and order.
Laws make life safer, more predictable, and fairer.
The Idea of Right (Law)
Definition of Law
Law/Right: Coordinates and protects human freedom in society.
Law as science → studies social law and order.
Philosophy of law: Investigates the foundations and nature of legal systems everywhere.
Origins and Sources of Law
Tradition: Community-accepted rules passed down generations.
State Laws: Formal rules backed by government power.
Laws are forward-looking (“no retroactive force”).
Includes the Constitution, general laws, and special laws.
Natural vs. Positive Law
Positive law
Law = socially constructed rules made by legitimate authority.
Doesn't require moral or divine basis.
Focuses on how laws are made, not why they’re just.
Natural law
Based on human nature and universal moral standards.
Law’s authority is partly derived from its moral value.
Exists independently of human legislation.
Rule of Law
Ensures everyone, including leaders, is subject to the law.
Protects individual freedom from interference by others.
Laws define the limits of freedom to preserve harmony in society.
Justice
Key Philosophical Theories of Justice
Plato
Found in The Republic
Justice is what benefits the stronger (ruling class).
Justice reflects the interest of those in power.
Reflects the hierarchical and political reality of his time.
Aristotele
Justice is giving people what they deserve based on relevant similarities.
Divides justice into:
Distributive justice: Distribution of goods based on merit.
Retributive justice: Fair punishment or compensation for wrongdoing.
Justice as a virtue; promotes balance and fairness.
John Rawls
Developed the concept of Justice as Fairness.
Advocated for:
Equal basic liberties for all individuals.
Social and economic inequalities arranged to benefit the least advantaged and provide fair equality of opportunity.
Introduced the Veil of Ignorance thought experiment: designing a just society without knowing one's status within it.
Robert Nozick
Developed the Entitlement Theory of Justice.
Justice depends on:
Principles of just acquisition
Principles of just transfer
Principles of rectification for past injustices
Emphasized historical process over end-result; inequality is acceptable if acquisition and transfer were just.
What is Justice?
Definition: Justice is fairness or righteousness; the proper proportion between a person’s actions (or merits) and the rewards or punishments they receive.
Etymology: From Latin "Justicia" (fairness or righteousness); "jus" (right).
Origin: Arises from human nature — individuals have unlimited wants but limited resources. Conflict emerges, necessitating laws and boundaries to preserve peace and order.
Types of Justice
Social Justice
Concerned with duties to the state and the common good.
Everyone contributes to and benefits from society in proportion to ability and opportunity.
Violated when groups are denied fair access to societal resources or participation.
Commutative Justice
Concerns exchanges between individuals (e.g., in trade, contracts).
Requires fairness, honesty, and equal value in interactions.
Regulates personal dealings based on mutual respect and moral integrity.